Corliss-Brackett House, Italian Villa style mansion in College Hill, Providence, United States
The Corliss-Brackett House is an Italian Villa style mansion located in College Hill at the intersection of Prospect and Angell Streets, distinguished by formal masonry and Tuscan-inspired details. The structure features spacious rooms and elaborate interior finishes, now serving as the main office building for Brown University's Department of Philosophy.
The house was built between 1875 and 1882 by George Henry Corliss, the inventor of the Corliss Steam Engine, as his private residence reflecting industrial-age innovation. The property passed to Academy Award-winning screenwriter Charles Brackett in 1929, who eventually transferred it to Brown University.
The building retains architectural features that echo Italian Villa traditions, reflecting the prosperity and ambition of its original owner. The ornate design choices visible on the facade speak to how wealth and taste were expressed during this era.
The building is now part of Brown University's campus and can be viewed from the street, though access inside is limited as it serves as an administrative office building. Visitors exploring the exterior and surrounding College Hill area should remain respectful of the active university campus environment.
The house contained one of America's earliest thermostat-controlled heating systems, along with a hydraulic elevator and integrated insect screening mechanisms. These technical innovations demonstrate how Corliss applied his engineering expertise to the design of his own residence.
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